lost ability to reach firefox homepage and internet completely after using firefox for years
I was unable to reach the internet through any browser, i contacted my ISP (Cox) who told me it was a problem with my security suite (Norton 360), i contacted norton who told me it was a ISP problem, went back to ISP and eventually (1.75 hrs) they were able to get me back online via Internet Explorer. I am a longtime user of Mozilla. I've uninstalled mozilla firefox 3.6 and reinstalled but clicking on mozilla icon nothing happens. In looking over the problem forum i saw what i believe to be similar situations listed and a solution requiring opening tools - options- advance -network, but i am unable to reach the mozilla page w/menu options ... completely unable to open my MF homepage. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.
All Replies (6)
I worked at an ISP as tech support for a couple of years and saw this issue countless times with Norton AV/Firewall/Internet Security, which 360 is an evolution of. Norton is *notorious* for this problem. The configuration suddenly blows up, and it decides to start blocking a ton of stuff, sometimes everything.
If uninstalling Firefox didn't help, try uninstalling Norton. If you can confirm you're able to browse with Firefox without Norton, then you've found your problem.
You may need to use the Symantec Norton removal tool (NRT) which is available at:
http://us.norton.com/support/kb/web_view.jsp?wv_type=public_web&docurl=20080710133834EN&ln=en_US
There are also many other free anti-virus and firewall products out there which are (in my opinion) significantly better than Norton, and don't cause spontaneous blockages.
Hope this helps.
appreciate the help johnl2009 ... in my original contact w/Norton we uninstalled 360 and still were not able to browse with Firefox ... after Cox figured out how to get me online w/IE i went back to Norton and reinstalled 360
Few more questions, out of curiosity...
- - did Norton have you uninstall, reboot, then try connecting again?
- - Did they have you try the Norton Removal Tool? I've often seen a simple uninstall leaves many many hooks in the system, especially in the network stack.
- - Are you using dialup or broadband (cable/dsl/fiber/etc)?
- - Have you checked the proxy settings under Tools -> Options -> Advanced -> Network tab -> Settings button. Typically, unless you're using a special configuration with Cox, you'd use either No Proxy or System Settings Proxy.
Cheers.
Modified by johnl2009
thanks again for feedback. - yes, norton had me uninstall, reboot, and try again. - i'm really not sure, i had to call them back them back w/my case number and norton id after cox got me back online to reinstall norton 360. - using broadband - when you refer me to check the proxy setting under the tools menu ... are you refering to the mozilla page? i can't bring up the mozilla start page with the tools option!
Hi Lawrence -
Not quite. Forget the web page for a moment, we're just working with the program. When you open firefox, do you have the file, edit, view menus, etc? Under the Tools menu (next to help), you should then see Options. The setting I'm looking for would be in there.
appreciate your continued help, but yesterday i was able to once again get back on. in answer to your question ... i could not bring up the page that contained "file, edit, view menus, ect with options available under the tools tag" i was able to get back on when i opened mozilla in "safe mode" and checked do not run add ons ... i don't know how, why or what ... but it was great to get back and all of my bookmarks etc were still operatable ... i ended up going thru the add on's list individually ... opening each one with the exception of "MetaStream 3 Plug 3.2.2.26" which had a round red circle with a white exclamation point within ... don't know if this had anything to do with my problems, but it is great to be back on. thanks again for your help.